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If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. --1 John 1:9 What is sin? Have you ever thought about it? Well, the Scripture offers numerous descriptions of sin. It’s described as disease and destruction, as a stain, and as a separation from God’s presence. So not surprisingly, sin has devastating effects. Look at the effect that unconfessed sin had on King David. No one loved God more than David. But he was overtaken by lust when he saw Bathsheba bathing, and he committed adultery. And his sin didn’t stop there. Later, when it was discovered that she was pregnant with David’s child, he arranged the murder of Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, who was one of his generals. For more than a year, David tried to hide his sin. But it took a toll on David’s mind and emotions. He was riddled with guilt. His sinful acts dominated his thoughts. David said, “My sin is ever before me.” He couldn’t escape his stinging conscience. It wasn’t until God confronted David through the prophet Nathan that he finally confessed his sin and began the journey to restoration. Are you suffering from sin’s devastating effects? Is your sin ever before you? There is only one answer. Run to God and confess your sin! Resist the temptation to hide it. And God will forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Run to God and confess your sin! God’s Plan Includes Every Part of Life by Dr. Paul Chappell “And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.” Genesis 50:19–21 In his autobiography, An American Life, Ronald Reagan wrote, “I was raised to believe that God had a plan for everyone and that seemingly random twists of fate are all a part of His plan. My mother—a small woman with auburn hair and a sense of optimism that ran as deep as the cosmos—told me that everything in life happened for a purpose. She said all things were part of God’s plan, even the most disheartening setbacks, and in the end, everything worked out for the best. If something went wrong, she said, you didn’t let it get you down: You stepped away from it, stepped over it, and moved on.” The trials and tribulations of life are not pleasant to endure, but we must learn to view them as God views them—as tools to work His plan in our lives. “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2–3). Many times we miss the opportunity trouble brings because we fail to see God working in and through it to prepare and equip us for His purpose. The way we respond to trouble is determined by our focus. Joseph could have become bitter toward his brothers and used his powerful position to exact revenge. That is what they expected and feared. But because Joseph was focused on God, he forgave them and cared for their needs just as God had designed.   Today’s Growth Principle:  Rather than complaining about our troubles, we should look for the opportunities God is creating.